2UrbanGirls has received an email from Compton resident Robert Ray that was addressed to both us and Councilwoman Tana McCoy re: city surveillance cameras. 2UrbanGirls initially reported on the city expanding the surveillance camera project in 2015 and a 2016 follow up reporting the cameras weren’t operable.
Residents have taken to Facebook to discuss the amount of murders not being solved, despite a multi million dollar surveillance camera system touted as the most advanced in the United States. The cameras allegedly had license plate scanning capabilities and responded to the sounds of gunshots as outlined in an LA Times article titled “Compton feeling good“.
Councilwoman Janna Zurita is campaigning that she has made the parks safer, yet the cameras installed in the parks are inoperable. Why have MILLIONS of dollars been spent on non-working cameras? And why aren’t councilmembers demanding they be fixed? Grieving residents want answers.
It is time for an update on our Citywide Camera system. Over the years ‘we’ have spent millions of dollars on camera of all types and in all places. Just last year I specifically remember the council approving a contract that was supposed to ensure that all of our cameras were in working order at all times, or would be fixed in a timely manner if they went down.
You know as well as I do that way too often something happens right under a camera, and then we are told “that camera wasn’t working”. Remember the shooting in Burrell MacDonald park a couple of years ago? Remember the little girl who lost her arm to illegal fireworks in Burrell MacDonald park? These are just two examples. Janna keeps asking for audits on everything else, it is time for an audit of our Citywide Camera Project. What is or is not working? Is that contract for the maintenance/repair of our system still in place?Robert Ray, concerned resident
Rhambo needs to provide some answers. I would appreciate it if you could ask him next Tuesday to provide an ACCURATE update.
(This is a hot topic on Facebook right now and people want answers)
7 Comments
You see so many intersections with these cameras. Who would of taught they did not work. They are a tool that could deter crime and serve as a witness in a city where people sometimes feel scared to report a crime.
Remember when they opened the MLK Transit Center. There was lights on the big columns and there was even music. Now, it is neglected. Lights dont work and the nice greenery is ugly. There was rumors that the crystal room was going to be a filled with security cameras and law enforcement watching the cameras. Or how about the last phase of WillowWalk on the parking between the MLK Transit Center and WillowWalk entrance on Willowbrook Ave.
Or recall about the movie theater coming to Compton or the Alondra Regional Park or the downtown Compton Master Plan or so many false promises. It seemed like the city has good ideas but somewhere down the lines someone stops the progression of the city or the city focusess in something else end forgets. Which in results mismanages millions of dollars like the cameras.
I would like for the city to go through all its initial plans. I saw so much potential in Compton. Now I have lost hope in my city. Potholes, blighted properties, homeless, graffiti, illegal dumping, less trees, more big rids, more traffic, less parking, ugly parks, you complain and they start saying you new to Compton and expecting to much as a resident. I have called Compton homessince 1995.
Many residents have referred to a killing in the Raymond Street Park and cameras weren’t working. Councilwoman Janna Zurita is campaigning on a platform that parks are safer under her and they are not.
EVERYBODY IN CITY HALL AND ON COUNCIL SHOULD BE REPLACED IN COMPTON. THEY ARE MORE THAN INCOMPETENT.
thank you for taking the time to comment.
Totally agree…. But is COMPTON READY TO VOTE , THESE FOLKS OUT. or will the cycle continue
Compton taxes are higher than Los Angeles County where are the tax money go we don’t see our streets getting fix where’s all that money at
I agree. Get them out of office and find some actual working people.